Men's Tennis

Things to Know in Tennis Recruiting

There are less than 1,000 colleges that have a tennis program. That’s why learning from a trusted resource like NCSA exactly how recruiting for tennis works is essential.

When does the men’s tennis recruiting process start?

1.Recruiting for tennis begins early at USTA tournaments. Playing in USTA (United States Tennis Association) junior tournaments can be the first step in the tennis recruiting process. Gaining experience early against top competition will be extremely important by the time you are a junior or senior in high school.

How do I get discovered?

2. A third-party evaluation from a trusted neutral source like NCSA is essential. It’s also important to make sure you’re playing in top level USTA tournaments. When college men’s tennis coaches can identify you as a prospect using online tools from a trusted resource like NCSA, you gain instant exposure and credibility. And if they’re familiar with your game already, coaches will likely look for you at USTA tournaments.

How do coaches evaluate tennis prospects?

3. The Internet is your best tool for tennis recruits. Budgets for college men’s tennis teams aren’t nearly as big as they are for basketball or football, so the best way that a college tennis coach can evaluate you, without spending money on travel, is the Internet. A third-party evaluator like NCSA offers easy access to your video highlights and statistics and helps coaches find players that fit their system.

Where am I qualified to play college tennis?

4. Less than 30% of colleges that offer tennis are in Division I. The majority of college men’s tennis players don’t compete in DI, so set your expectations accordingly. More than 70% of men’s tennis programs are at the Division II, Division III, NAIA or junior college level. NCSA is an experienced neutral talent evaluator, and can tell you where you’re most likely to find success.

What is my tennis coach’s role?

5. Your coach can help with your development on the court, but getting a scholarship for tennis is your responsibility. Your tennis coach is probably too busy to be able to dedicate the time that the tennis recruiting process requires. It’s your responsibility as a tennis recruit to do the work.